SCHEDULE: Truist Financial Reports 10.3% Stake in First Trust ETF VIII

Truist Financial Corporation, through its advisory services, has reported a 10.3% beneficial ownership stake in First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII as of December 31, 2025.

Summary

• Truist Financial Corporation, acting as a Parent Holding Company for Truist Advisory Services, Inc., has filed an Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13G.
• The filing reports beneficial ownership of 133,396 shares in FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII.
• This represents 10.261% of the class of securities, which are Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
• Truist Financial Corporation holds sole dispositive power over all 133,396 shares, with no sole or shared voting power.
• The securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose of changing or influencing control of the issuer.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The filing is a standard beneficial ownership disclosure (Schedule 13G) by a financial institution, indicating a routine investment holding. It does not contain information that would typically be interpreted as positive or negative for the issuer or the reporting entity beyond the fact of the holding itself.

Positives

• Truist Financial Corporation maintains a significant institutional stake (10.261%) in FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII, indicating continued investment interest.
• The holding is stated to be in the ordinary course of business, suggesting a stable, non-activist investment approach.

Future Outlook

The filing is a disclosure of current beneficial ownership and does not contain specific forward-looking statements or guidance regarding future performance or strategic direction of either Truist Financial Corporation or FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII.

Management Comments

• "By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under 240.14a-11."

Industry Context

This filing represents a routine disclosure by a major financial institution, Truist Financial Corporation, regarding its significant passive investment in an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). Such disclosures are common for large asset managers and holding companies that manage diversified portfolios for clients or proprietary accounts, reflecting standard institutional investment activity within the financial services sector.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders of FIRST TRUST EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND VIII will note that a significant institutional investor, Truist Financial Corporation, holds a substantial stake, which can be viewed as a vote of confidence in the fund's strategy or underlying assets.

Key Dates

Keywords

Truist Financial, First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII, ETF, Schedule 13G, Beneficial Ownership, Investment Adviser, Holding Company, Financial Services